A WELL FOUGHT MATCH AND THREE MORE POINTS

5 May 2018

After a great match of football last Tuesday, Tianjin visited Chongqing searching to get back on the winning track. Axel Witsel wasn’t called up for this away game and Pato took his place, pairing up with Modeste in the offense.

Chongqing Lifan came to this game after two home defeats; first in a CSL match against Guangzhou R&F and, after, against Dalian Yifang for the China FA Cup. Thus, there was a strong desire to win and the game acquired a heavy importance to both sides.

After the first fifteen minutes of Paulo Bento’ team dominance, with more ball possession and shots, Paulo Sousa’ players opened up the scoreboard, but Modeste’ goal was disallowed.

Unlike past games for the China Super League, Tianjin wasn’t so accurate on the passing chapter; with 26 minutes played, Quanjian had completed only 70% of their 82 passes, significant result of Chongqing great pressure on the pitch. Lifan finished the first half with 63% of ball possession and seven shots on target, against a solo shot from Tianjin.

With the half-time whistle by the referee, Paulo Sousa’ team left the pitch with a draw against a tough and organized opponent.

In the second half, Chongqing dominance continued, but with no goals. The home team raised ball possession to 77%, but their forwards kept on failing to shoot on goal. Tianjin experienced players never stopped believing in the win and, in the bench, Paulo Sousa’ kept calm and played his cards right.

With fifteen minutes to the final whistle, Wang Xiaolong came on the pitch and only five minutes later he assisted Alexandre Pato to the first goal of the match and his sixth in the season.

In the last minutes of the game, it was time to defend with heart, get three precious points and move up in the league table. Pato’s goal untied a very tough match and where Lifan proved themselves as a great opponent.

Quanjian will now focus on their next important match, next Tuesday, for the round of sixteen of the AFC Champions League, against Guangzhou Evergrande.